Fast Food Statistics

What They Mean For Your Health

Fast food is a bigger part of the American diet than you may think, and it puts both young and old Americans in greater danger of developing a wide range of health problems, some of which are potentially life-threatening.

How you fuel your body has an enormous impact on your overall health and wellness. And while some chains are slowly beginning to offer healthier options, eating out is typically not a healthy choice.

Children + Fast Food

Percentage of children and adolescents consuming fast food on any given day.12

2x

Researchers found kids and adolescents between the ages of 12 and 19 ate twice as many calories from fast food restaurants as children ages 2 to 11.13

80

Percentage of children who say McDonald’s is their favorite place to eat.14

Scary Ingredients

11 out of 25 fast food chains failed after being graded on their use of antibiotics.15

The CDC estimates that at least 2 million Americans contract antibiotic-resistant infections every year and that 23,000 of those people will die as a result.16

In 2015, trans fats, which are used in fried foods, were recognized by the FDA to raise the level of cholesterol in blood, therefore increasing the risk of developing heart disease – one of the leading causes of death in the U.S.17

King of Added Sugar

Sugar in a LargeCoca-Cola

A large Coca-Cola contains 86 grams of sugar.18

Recommended Daily Sugar Allowance

It is recommended that men consume a maximum of 38 grams of sugar while women should only consume 25 grams.

High Sugar Diet Tied to Heart Disease

Consuming high amounts of sugar alters fat metabolism.19

The Unhealthy Calories

Full Day’s Worth

One meal at a fast food restaurant contains all the calories you need for an entire day.20

3 Hours

It takes a 155-pound person 3 hours to burn 2,000 calories. A Big Mac, Large Fries and Large Coke equal just over 1,300 calories.21

38.5 Gallons

On average, American consumers drink more than 38.5 gallons of carbonated soft drinks each year.22

Fast Food: High in Saturated Fats Not Enough Fiber

That includes sides and drinks. When your digestive system breaks down these foods, the carbs are released as glucose into your bloodstream. As a result, your blood sugar increases.23

There is a push to make a lot of the menu items at your favorite fast food restaurants healthier. Some of the things we’re seeing include: Fresher ingredients, less foods containing trans fats and nutritional information for each meal.